Forward Ridly Greig will play his first game in the National Hockey League (NHL) on Wednesday night when the Ottawa Senators host the New York Islanders.
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The first-round pick (28th overall) in the 2020 draft was recalled from the American Hockey League (AHL) earlier this week after the “Sens” announced the end of Josh Norris’ season.
Greig will play on the left wing of a line consisting of Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux. He should also rely on powerplay in the second unit.
“It’s very good to be able to play in the top 6 with two excellent players, on top of the power play. However, I will approach this duel like any other game,” said Greig, whose comments were reported by the NHL website.
“It’s a dream come true and I’m really looking forward to it.”
In the AHL with Belleville Senators, the 20-year-old forward has 12 goals in 28 games and provided 11 assists for 23 points.
In dad’s footsteps
The new addition to the Ottawa roster is the son of Mark Greig, who played as a winger and played 125 NHL games between 1990 and 2003.
“It definitely didn’t hurt him,” said Senators head coach DJ Smith when asked if Greig’s father played in the NHL.
“He grew up near the ice rink and his father was there. He could give her advice because he had experienced the same thing. How many kids can say that? They are increasingly the sons of former players who have played in the NHL. They’ve been there all their lives. This allows them to start their journey faster than other children.”
Greig didn’t hesitate to say that his father was a colossal influence on his journey to the Bettman Circuit.
“He kind of did everything, he was a player and he got drafted. Every time I talk to him he has tons of advice for me. It’s pretty useful.”
TVA Sports will broadcast the game at 7 p.m.